Estimation of 511 keV gamma scatter fraction in WLS layer in total-body J-PET : a simulation study

Positron emission tomography (PET) is essential in medical diagnostics and monitoring therapy. The J-PET Collaboration at Jagiellonian University is developing a new generation of Total-Body PET scanners based on plastic scintillators. One of the Total-Body J-PET designs comprises seven rings, each consisting of 24 modules. A single module is built of 2 layers, each comprises of 16 axially arranged plastic scintillator strips of 330 mm length, read out by silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays from both ends, and an additional layer of 50 wavelength shifter (WLS) bars, placed perpendicular to plastic layers. This study estimates the scatter fraction of the Total-Body J-PET manufactured from plastic scintillator strips according to the NEMA NU 2-2018 standards by using the GATE software. The scatter phantom was simulated as a solid cylinder with a length of 700 mm and an outside diameter equal to 203 mm. At the same time, at a radial distance of 45 mm, we have a hole with a diameter of 6.4 mm where a linear source with total activity of 1 MBq is placed. For data processing, sinograms were generated, and the Single Slice Rebinning (SSRB) algorithm was used for the scatter fraction calculation. As a result, we estimate that addition of the WLS layer is increasing the scatter fraction by 0.67%.